Chapter 21
Out of the blue Dino Elefante phoned me and asked me if
Bride was still looking for a deal. I guess through the grapevine the word was
out that Bride was shopping for a new deal. I told him yes, positively. He said
don't worry about anything consider yourself signed. He then hung up the phone.
I did not know what to make of this it all seemed out of the ordinary.
Everything concerning this new deal was done by telephone. The Record Company
was called Pamplin and the label that wanted Bride was "Organic Records" though
at the time they were so new they had no name for the label. My fears were that
they were another new company like Rugged and Bride would once again be the
guinea pigs for trial and error. Mark Whitmore assisted us in negotiating the
deal and after some time, we reached an agreement with a lot of promises to fill
in the blanks later. I felt confident however because of my previous association
with Dino that this was on the up and up.
We begin our relationship with Organic with the attitude that we had nothing to
loose at this point.
John and Dino had had relocated to Nashville and built an incredible recording
studio, "The Sound Kitchen." Everyone from Barry Manilow to the top country
Stars was recording there.
To expedite the recording process we brought in Tim Bushong a long time friend
of the band who had his own group called Love War, which would become "Channel
Surfers". Tim would prove invaluable to the new record adding the all-important
second guitar and helping out on backup vocals. Having Tim made the recording go
much faster.
The studio was world class with the best of everything. "If we could not produce
a great album here we might as well give up" I thought. Dino was a busy man by
this point and we were left countless hours sitting and looking at one another
waiting for someone to push the record buttons. Eventually in Dino's absence,
Tim took over the engineering in time for me to lay down my vocals. I was
feeling really good. Dino had wanted me to sing over a three-day period but
instead I resorted to my ways of doing things and sang all of the vocals in one
day. Tim had no problem finishing up his backups in the same fashion. We called
the new record "The Jesus Experience," and thought that this was an appropriate
name due to the subject matter, plus it should be great for marketing. This
would be the first album that our faces would appear on the cover.
The Jesus Experience
People often ask me how Bride came up with the name of our new release. Here is
the brief story on how one man spawned the name of "The Jesus Experience." We
had just played an out door show in Indiana and I had hardly left the stage when
I was approached by a blond headed man. He bluntly ask me, "how do I become born
again?" I explained to him the formula using scripture that every other preacher
uses. (At the time, I didn't know any better). Little did I know this was a
test. When I had finished speaking, the man said "You do not know me and you
will never see me again. I have been sent here by God to tell you one thing,
"TAKE ON THE NAME OF JESUS"." The man said no more, turned, and walked toward a
wooded area. I stood trying to digest the reality of what had precisely had
happen. I had turned to walk toward a cabin that the band was using for a
dressing room. When I turned back to see where this messenger had walked to, he
was gone without a trace. The band was searching for a name for the new disc and
now we had it. I believe that this fellow whether a man or a ministering
messenger of God was sent to convey the CD title to us. Sounds strange to some
but made all the sense to me.
Once before something similar had happened to me while I was driving along Dixie
Highway in Valley Station KY. I do not normally pick up hitchhikers but this day
I made an exception. The hitchhiker was an Asian women about 40 years old
wearing worn and dirty clothes. I asked her "where she was going?" She did not
reply but just looked forward. I asked her "if she spoke English?" Once again
there was silence. After a short drive my turn was coming up. I explained to her
that unless she wanted to leave Dixie Highway she was going to have to get out
of the car because I had to make a turn. By this time I was a little freaked out
and was wondering if I in fact should have been so courteous to have picked up a
stranger. I pulled over to the side of the road, which was adjacent to a parking
lot, and she stepped out of the car. Before I had a chance to pull away, she
stuck her head back into the car through the window, which she had rolled down
and in plain English said "Jesus loves you" and she turned and walked away
through the parking lot. I admit it was most peculiar however since I am sharing
it with you now (the reader) it must have made a great impact. Hbr 13:2 Be not
forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels
unawares. 1Pe 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. Mat 25:40 And
the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye
have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it]
unto me.
The Jesus Experience was controversial before it even hit the stores. First it
was a hard rock alternative record and the critics once again described it as a
metal album. Dave Bach who'd designed the cover and insert had this great
looking picture of Jesus being strapped into the electric chair. We suggested he
use it in the tray of the CD box where the CD sits. When a buyer picks the disc
up to put it in their CD player there is Jesus sitting in an electric chair. We
felt people had become so desensitized to the cross we were trying to make a
bold statement of "yes he was executed. It wasn't pretty, nor glamorous, it was
a real execution. Seems as though someone at Organic forgot to proof the
artwork. Once discovered, the album was pulled and the picture of the electric
chair scene was omitted except in the European market. I soon had T-shirts
printed of the design.
The electric chair represents to me many things, the love of Christ transcends
time, centuries and ages to reach me. 2000 years after His death at Calvary His
love woke my heart. He can feel our pain and be touched with the feelings of our
infirmities, that if he were here in physical form today that he would once
again be executed by us through more modern means. It was us who was supposed to
die as criminal's for our sins but Jesus intervened and died as me upon that
instrument of cruelty. The facts of Jesus' death needs to be taken out of the
story book realm and revealed as the shocking reality for what is and was! Today
we have glorified the cross to the point until we are numb as to what Jesus has
done and the picture of the crucifixion does not move us. We have our artist
paint it, draw it, sculpt it. The movies have acted it out, churches have
dramatized it in plays, and yet the Spiritual significance seems to be lost in
elaborate scripted man made interpretations.
Let me just put a couple of scriptures together to paint the picture that the
Word of God paints about this scene at the end of Jesus' natural life "Behold,
my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very
high. As many were astonished at thee; his visage (appearance) was so marred
more than any man (beyond human semblance), and his form more than the sons of
men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at
him: for [that] which had not been told them shall they see; and [that] which
they had not heard shall they consider. Who hath believed our report? and to
whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a
tender plant, and as a root out of a dry
ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no
beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him;
he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and
carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted. But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes
we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to
his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was
oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a
lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth
not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare
his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the
transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the
wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither
[was any] deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath
put [him] to
grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his]
seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in
his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be
satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he
shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the
great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out
his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the
sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. But I [am] a worm, and
no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me
laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying], He
trusted on the LORD [that] he would deliver
him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. But thou [art] he that
took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope [when I was] upon my mother's
breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou [art] my God from my mother's
belly. Be not far from me; for trouble [is] near; for [there is] none to help.
Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round. They
gaped upon me [with] their mouths, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion. I am
poured out like water, and all my bones are out of
joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength
is dried up like a potsherd (Dried up as an earthen vessel is my power, And my
tongue is cleaving to my jaws.); and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou
hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly
of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell
all my bones: they look [and] stare upon me. They part my garments among them,
and cast lots upon my vesture.
Taken from (Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah chapter 53, Psalm 22) But the part of Psalm
22 that I like is: Psa 22:27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn
unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee."
This explains why Christ did what He did.
One reviewer "Rad Rockers" put it this way when the release of the record was
delayed and the picture of a Christ-like-character was omitted from most of the
tray inserts.
"Due to the controversial artwork the release of the cd (The Jesus
Experience) was delayed while wimpy industry people re-manufactured the sleeves,
omitting the "offensive" depiction of Jesus in the electric chair. So, in true
Rad Rocker style, we are calling this the "shocking" version. As if the
crucifixion was not shocking too. When will industry honchos stop making
concessions to smarmy middle class values that the CBA stores confuse with
picking up one's cross and following Jesus? Where exactly did he go with that
cross anyway? Bill Maher is gonna embarrass evangelicals on his latenight TV
show "Politically Incorrect" if he hears about this. The music itself is the
same. Only the sleeve artwork is different.
Dave Bach phoned me and said that CCM was going to review the new CD but was
going to slam it due to the lyrical content. I wrote them immediately to head
off the controversy in hopes that the reviewer would understand the meaning to
such songs as "The Worm" if he heard why I wrote the song.
I wrote something similar to the following letter.
I am the type of writer that attempts to provoke thoughts and images in the mind
of the listener through imagery and descriptive lyrics. I do not like to explain
a song to someone for the simple reason I think it is up the listener to
interpret and come to their own conclusions by thought. My reason for writing my
songs may be far too simple compared to the conclusion drawn from listeners who
enjoy the adventure of exploration into the Word.
I added the scriptures to the song to further initiate the listener to probe and
search.
I write things at face value. In other words, what it says, it says, and I write
for no other meaning. What you see on the surface can be interpreted as its
definition. "The Worm" can be visualized in many different ways. I wrote the
song from Psalm 22, which gives a graphic image of the crucifixion. Other
scriptures which come to mind when I think back are Isaiah 50:6-8, Isaiah 53,
Isaiah 52:13-15, Matthew 26:67-68, 68:27-30.
He was disfigured more than any man, despised and rejected of men; man of
sorrows acquainted grief: bruised, chastised, by his strips we are healed,
oppressed, afflicted, taken from prison to judgement, numbered with the
transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, tempted in all points yet he knew no
sin, he can be touched by the feeling of our infirmities; that we might be made
the righteousness of God.
(Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 8:7, 1 Corinthians 5:21)
"The Worm" can be viewed from the perspective of Christ, which switches to man
and back to Christ. The line in the song, "take my life before I take it myself"
is not words from Christ but from myself as a writer who understands that I am a
sinner saved by grace and there is no hope but that which is found in Christ
Jesus.
In the July issue 1997 of CCM magazine appeared a review of "The Jesus
Experience" CD. It was favorable toward the music but the reviewer (Scott
Thunder) was unclear of the meaning of the single and # 1 radio song "The Worm".
He also challenged our means by which we preach spiritual truth by saying "the
lyrics if they (Bride) intend to express the purity of Christian
truth) need to be based less on the experience and speculation of the writer and
more with orthodox biblical theology". The reviewer goes on to say that his
constructive criticism is an act of love not of condemnation. I was well aware
that there may be initial skepticism and lack of understanding, given first
impressions. I realize as things are passed through the secular grid, that
messages can become distorted and that is why I took great care in preparing
scripture for the entire CD. On past projects such as "Snakes in the Playground"
the framework of our lyrics were challenged. The song "Rattlesnakes" was deemed
unsuitable uninspired and perplexing by some who were opponents of our labor.
The song went on to # 1 radio status, was honored with a Dove Award, and became
one of the most recognizable songs in Christian rock music. So it is not foreign
to us to be the recipients of judgment and criticism from our peers.
Let me first start by saying that before "The Worm" was released as a single I
wrote a lengthy explanation to Scott Thunder of which he rejected. I also am no
theologian but have preached for over 17 years all throughout the world. I hold
no degree from any bible institution in doctrine or in theology but have led
many to Jesus Christ by rightly dividing the Word of Truth. I believe that I
adhere to the exploratory approach and seek the common elements that run through
the bible and this is in itself biblical theology. My belief that all scripture
in given by divine inspiration and that the bible is to be taken literally is
how I base the lyrical content of our songs. As the writer I exercised pains in
accurately interpreting what the Spirit of the Lord was saying through me. If I
may be so bold as to say every song on "The Jesus Experience" was given to me by
the Holy Spirit. Not every song is intended to touch the heart of every person.
In other words certain songs will speak to a listener differently than it speaks
to another person. "The Worm" for example is a song, which will hold little
meaning for some. To others who have experienced what the Holy Spirit is
speaking within the lyrics, it is a world of enlightenment and blessing. To
disqualify "The Worm" from "The Jesus Experience" based on one's own
interpretation (opinion) of my scriptural based construction of the crucifixion
and how and what it means to the spiritually suffering is an injustice to my
years of service to the Christian community.
"The Worm" is about Christ on the cross and how he can be touched with the
feelings of our infirmities, because he did experience life as a man and became
my sin in order that I might have life everlasting (Hebrews 4:15). It is about a
person who is thinking of taking their own life and who says to Christ who is
the life giver "take my life before I take it myself". And lastly it is about
myself and the persecution and trials, which I have endured through the grace of
God. The song has a three-fold purpose. To try to reach the hurting and the
depressed who may be on the verge of suicide (Matthew 9:12). To say Christ knows
your hurt because he felt your pain upon the cross (Isaiah 50:6-8, 53:1-12). I
in no way ever imply that Christ committed suicide upon the cross. John 10:17-18
says "The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it
up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have
authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I
received from my Father". The bible plainly states that Jesus Christ was
obedient to death (Philippians 2:5-8) Theologically I could write a sermon from
John 12:23-25 about the kernel of wheat which falls into the ground but it would
be too extensive for what I am attempting to accomplish here. And thirdly, the
song is about myself, that I am merely a man who at times hurts to, that I am no
better than the people within my songs. Christ died for us
all, all the same. It is how I draw strength, from the sacrifice which God
gave, and how I know that since Christ conquered all, overcame all, that Christ
in me is greater than that which is in the world. The persecution from believers
who fail to see the face of Christ in good and bad situations is ever abundant.
Christian persecution from Christians is nothing new for us and Scott Thunder
out of his act of love is guilty of public persecution of Bride just like it is
spoken in "The Worm". Scott Thunder has used the printed word of media to
publicly question and object to the message within our work.
Most supporters of Bride and ministries like this ours, may not know the
struggle which we face from the Christian community. They do not see the
frustration, the depression which comes often and the heartache that we feel
because personal persecution and rejection.
Through the years of playing music and preaching Christ to the world we have
spent more time explaining the ministry to the Christian community than we have
needed to. After investigation and dirt digging one will only find this ministry
rooted and grounded on the principles which Christ taught. Truth is
Christianity's most enduring asset and we found our witness upon truth. Christ
who is undoubtedly the single most commanding person in the entire history of
mankind, also had struggles and difficulty is explaining his ministry to even
his most beloved disciples. When he spoke of his dying and raising from the dead
they did not understand him, even after his death and resurrection (study Luke
24:21, John 20:24-27, Acts 1:3, Matthew 16:21-22, Matthew 17:22-23, Mark
9:10-32), I know and see the effects of this ministry upon those who are
reaching out for Christ. "The Worm" has been instrumental in speaking to the
audiences and this music which we have been gifted to play has been a tool of
universal influence and importance in the spiritual lives of countless
thousands.
Stones were also underhanded in the direction of the song "Tell Me". Scott
Thunder states "Tell Me' again misses the mark made by grace". I honestly have
no ideal as to why he has a complaint with this song. It is a song to challenge
those in the church that support Bride, to be bold and mature in their walk and
to not look to man but to look to God. Thunder's statement seems misplaced in
the context of this song.
CCM Magazine has ignored Bride for many years and the work, which Christ has
done through us his servants. Though we sent press releases to them speaking of
the great revival happening in Brazil and how bands like Bride, Guardian and
Whitecross had ministered to over 100,000 people in two nights in Sao Paulo,
this went unreported. When "The Jesus Experience" was released we immediately
received doubt and criticism from their magazine. We took a step back examined
our intentions, reevaluating what had been recorded and we came to the
conclusion of standing firm where Christ has asked us to stand. We all have a
divine appointment to meet the man who ripped a great whole in history upon his
arrival and ascension. I believe Jesus is going to evaluate this work which I
have performed for him and say "well done my good
and faithful servant", not greet me with constructive criticism.
Thank you for this opportunity to share this with you.
Dale Thompson @ Bride
After I read the review I sent the following letter to CCM and washed my hands
of their publication.
Dear John W. Styll,
I would first like to thank Lou Carlozo for taking the time to review my second
solo project "Dale Thompson and The Kentucky Cadillacs." As you may or may not
know I am an Ordained minister of the Word of God. In response to the review I
would like to encourage you with scripture. I hope you take the time to consider
the Word of God, which I have sent to you.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips
of a fool will swallow up himself." 2 Timothy 4:16 "At my first answer no man
stood with me, but all men forsook
me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Psalms 31:13 "For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side:
while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life."
Proverbs 11:9 "An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through
knowledge shall the just be delivered." Proverbs 17:27 "He that has knowledge
spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit."
Matthew 5:37 "But let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay: for whatsoever
is more than these cometh of evil." Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech be always
with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how to answer every man."
Proverbs 25:11 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of
silver."
CCM's purpose To Promote spiritual growth, To Provide news and information, To
encourage Christians to interact redemptively with popular culture.
In Christ Jesus,
Dale Thompson
I got no reply.
I wrote the following letter to a fan who was upset over the CD.
"The Jesus Experience" was given to me by God to reach a certain audience. All
of my music and lyrics are totally inspired by the Holy Spirit who is my helper
until Christ returns. I have no musical ability within myself without God and I
count it a blessing everyday that I have the opportunity to minister to young
people around the world with my music. People's taste in music changes just like
as one gets older they may not have the same taste buds as when they were young.
Our music changes with every record in order to fill a need and plug a hole
where other bands have not traveled. This record has already reached countless
thousands and I am getting praise reports from around the world. I am sorry that
it did not minister to you but maybe it was not supposed to. I can not please
everyone, I am only here to reach those people whom God allows me to reach.
Music itself has changed over the last 5 years and I am thankful that God has
allowed us to adapt and change with it. Otherwise there would be no more Bride.
We are flexible and we are artist creating from our hearts. Maybe our heart is
in a different place than yours. I know that our next record will also be
different than anything we have done because that is our ministry. Once again
thank you for your comments.
Here is a interview I conducted for The Jesus Experience around the time of its
release.
1) How would you describe your sound & why did you choose it for Bride?
ANSWER: God has continued to mold our sound and style-evolving Bride into what
we are today. We personally have no preferences as to the style we play as long
as it is ordained of the Lord and He is reaching young people through it.
2) What bands have influenced your sound?
ANSWER: Not too many...everyone in the band listens to different artist, and in
doing that it brings many different influences to the writing table. We try to
stay current so as not to alienate our audience of young listeners to whom this
ministry is designed to reach.
3) Would you ever consider going into the mainstream market if you didn't have
to compromise your message? (Why, or why not?)
ANSWER: It wherever Bride can be the most use to the Kingdom of God. I believe
there are enough lost kids in the church that the biggest part of our ministry
is trying to bring them in completely. Just because a person goes to church and
participates in church plays, chorus's and events doesn't save them. Our message
is salvation and we do minister to the house of God.
4) Where do you get the ideas for writing your songs?
ANSWERS: Lyrical ideals come from many different sources. Sometimes it may be
one sentence that comes to me and I write it down among many more words, phrases
or sentences that I have compiled over the months. When God says to write, then
I sit down and look at the puzzle that He has delivered, it trying to put it all
together it is amazing to watch the Holy Spirit work. Words that I had wrote
that seem of no importance take a key role in the development of a song. Seldom
do I ever sit down and just write a song. It is through much pray and trust in
the Lord. I would not want to write a song on my own I would feel helpless.
5) Your new album, "The Jesus Experience" is fantastic! What goals did you have
in mind when you were making this album? And where did you get the title?
ANSWER: Our goal was to record a record that would bring glory to God and if we
were faithful in what He commissioned us to do then He would be able to perform
a great work through this piece of music. I believe we achieved that goal. The
title "The Jesus Experience" came to me one day like the lyrics of a song. I
thought they would end up in a song but that was not God's purpose for those
words. Then I got confirmation after a show in Indiana. A fellow walked up to me
and asked me what he would have to do to be saved. Of course I begin a lengthy
explanation into sin and salvation. He patiently listened and at the end of my
explanation, he told me that he had been sent by God to tell me one thing. He
looked me dead in the eyes and said, "Take on the name of Jesus". I took that as
a direct confirmation of the three words "The Jesus Experience" which had been
given to me previously from the Lord.
6) What prompted you to write "The Worm?" & what is it about?
ANSWER: Saying that this song is unambiguously lucid because it was taken from
Psalm 22 practically verbatim may provoke even more discussion than if I were to
say it is a perplexing song with an ever more inextricable video. The song
originally was written about a man that was preparing to take his own life. In
the midst of his sorrow and loss of hope he reached out one final time to the
only one that can promise hope. This is a song about Jesus revealing himself to
a man who had been moments away from ending his own life. It does get a bit
confusing as I jump from the cross to this man. But it also represents that no
matter how low we get no matter how badly we hurt that Christ has hurt that much
and has absorbed the pain for us. He knows what it feels like to be empty and he
has drank the cup of suffering from each individual. So there is nothing that we
can go through in this life that Jesus himself had not experienced while upon
the cross.
7) What is the meaning behind "Cosmic Christ?"
ANSWER: "Cosmic Christ" is a satirical look at different beliefs and even
Christianity who feel they need scientific proof in order to believe that which
only comes by faith. There are those out there now still waiting for a Messiah
to come. There are those out there who are waiting for a miracle and a sign to
materialize so that they will be made believers. Jesus said that a wicked and
adulterous generation seeks after a sign. I believe Jesus is who He said He was
and I believe He is returning not because of scientific proof or the discovers
made in history but because I am just foolish enough to have faith in God and
believe in the invisible things.
8) My parents are in their forties, and Bride is their favorite band. Has
Bride's appeal to an older crowd ever surprised you?
ANSWER: Not at all because the music is not the important thing about what we
do. There is a spirit behind what we do that transcends age. I am 33 years old
and I grew up listening to bands out of the 70's. I feel that the older crowd
which enjoys this music is just a reflection and a product of the same music
which I had been exposed to. It just proves were all pretty much alike.
9) How important do you think it is for fans of Christian music to attend
Christian concerts?
ANSWER: If the fans stop going to concerts then we will see less and less bands
on the road. The reason for Bride's lack of touring has been fan support at the
shows in recent years. We are taking a big leap of faith in the next couple of
months as we go out on tour. We have not toured regularly since 1992. We have
been doing only weekend dates and that has kept Bride going, however it is our
desire to meet those people who support us so touring is necessary. The body of
believers must come together for strength and a concert atmosphere like we
present is perfect for that. You can be assured that not only will you see one
of the best shows in rock n' roll but the Word will be preached. We must have
Christian support in order to reach the lost and help us pray for those who have
given their lives to Christ at the end of the night.
10) We've all personally felt the life-changing power of Bride's music &
preaching, so we always try to bring others along to your shows. We also agree
that your preaching is dynamic, uncompromising, and some of the best we've ever
heard. Why do you think your preaching has such a uniquely profound effect on
people?
ANSWER: Not just preaching, but the person who is delivering the Word must be
allowing himself to be used of God. This means stirring up the Holy Spirit
within him. The Holy Spirit is not only our comforter but our helper. We cannot
worship God without the Holy Spirit. He is there for us and many times people do
not completely surrender to the will of God. God said it would be through the
foolishness of preaching that people may be saved. Being compelled to preach is
a great feeling because you know that if you get out of the way that God will
use you as an instrument to speak through.
11) I believe that your type of music can be a valuable witnessing tool. Besides
prayer, is there anything else we can do to encourage critics of this kind of
music to see its value and effectiveness as an outreach to a lost world?
ANSWER: I am not interested in trying to convince anyone of the legitimate use
of rock 'n roll music. I am not preaching rock music. There is enough people
receptive to rock music who will listen to God when he speaks that we have
plenty of work ahead of us. We want only to serve God and be good stewards of
that which He has left us to do.
12) The Jesus FREAK Hideout site was started out of appreciation for good
Christian music. We've set a goal to try to use the site to spread Christian
music, as well as God's Word, & show others how great Christian music can be. Do
you listen to Christian music? If so, what bands?
ANSWER: I listen to Guardian, Whitecross, RocketBoy, Nailed, The Newsboys
etc....
13) I really appreciate you taking out the time in your busy schedule to answer
some questions for us. Are there any last comments you'd like to make?
ANSWER: If you have read this interview and want to know more about Jesus Christ
please feel free to visit our web-site for information on salvation and on Bride
at http://www.bridepub.com
Thanx immensely, Dale! love the band, keep up the great work!! in Him,
John DiBiase
(hey, i may be seeing ya at the Lancaster Fairgrounds this summer... i'll have
to check up on that!)
Even though Dino was somewhat removed and taken out of the studio by other
business while we were recording he came through with the mix. We now had saved
face after releasing the "Drop" CD. "The Jesus Experience" would be a hit and
get us back on track. We had not realized the damage that had been done and the
repair would take a while but now it seemed we had the motivation to go another
mile.
The tour before the tour. 1997
January 10 we played our hometown Louisville KY at (Jonah's Java Café). "The
Jesus Experience" wasn't due out until May but shows were coming in. We had
signed a one-year contract with a booking agency called Big Planet
Entertainment. My wife and I now had three children and for Sharon is was
impossible for her to do a proper job booking the band while three boys ran
loose.
February 1 we revisited our old stomping ground in Columbus Oh (The King's
Place). There was a nice crowd but not like in the past. We decided to take
shows that we would not normally take in order just to stay busy. We felt even
if we barely got by at least we were playing shows. We tried our hand with the
coffeehouses February 19 Clarksville TN (Spike @ Crown), where we met the owner
Darvin and his wife Annie whom we formed a long relationship with. February 20
Nashville TN (Java Express) was an experience. The room was large but the stage
was located in the middle of the room, which forced people to sit at either side
of the stage. This too proved to be a smaller than average crowd. March 15
Indianapolis (Church of Acts) we hooked up with Tim Bushongs newly revised band
Love War which he would eventually change to The Channel Surfers. Church of Acts
turned out to be like the days of old. There was a nice crowd and the Lord moved
mightily.
The winds of change were blowing and we especially felt the chilling vibrations
for not only was it the wind but the earth was rattling beneath our feet.